Apparatus for generating acetylene gas.



No. 642,987. L. P. HVHD- Patented Feb. 6, |900.

` APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE, GAS.

(Application filed Mar. 25,- 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

C am m jm: mams PETERS co, Pnowurna. WASHINGTON. n4 c.

Patented Feb. 6, |900.

L. P. HVIID.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

l (Application filed Mar. 25, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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LAURITZ PETERSEN HVIID, OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,987', dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed March 25,1898. Serial No. 6 75,078. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURrrz Pnrnnsnn HVIID, of No. Vesterbrogade, Copenhagen, in the Kingdom of Denmark, have invented a new or Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas, of which the following is a specification.

With the portable generators for theproduction of acetylene gas hitherto known there has always been this inconvenience, that they cannot in a sense be said to be transportable, nor have they been able to withstand being upset. Then again one has not been able to ignite or to extinguish the flame as occasion requires, as the only way in which the light could be put out was by stopping the supply of water. In this case, however, the carbid and water which has been added continues to produce acetylene for some considerable time after the cock has been turned off.

My invention has for its object to prevent these inconveniences. With all generators hitherto known water or solutions of hygroscopic salt or mixtures of water have been used, and. as regards the carbid inert liquidssuch as spirits of Wine, glycerin, and the likehave been employed as decomposing fluids. It is a well-known fact that by using water the process is most irregular, whereas when solutions of h ygroscopic salt, mixtures of water and spirits of wine or glycerin, and the like are used it offers a more uniform though not more constant process, as the action grows fainter when by degrees the water it hitherto contained is consumed, as the inert materials remain present to the same extent, whereas the water is consumed, so that the time will come when the process ceases altogether. To avoid this, I use a saturated solution of sodic chlorid, which solution possesses several advantages over other solutions. The strength of a saturated solution of sodic chlorid is always the same, however much Water may be used, as the sodic chlorid is set free when the water is consumed and the free chlorid in the form of powder is precipitated immediately,together with the calcic hydrate formed. I do not use raw carbid, but carbid moistened with petroleum. To this solution may be added an odorous inert oil. This moistening is to fit the carbid for use in the household, as the carbid so prepared can be kept in the open air, and thus become an object for retail sale. Besides the carbid has then a very agreeable smell, which is of great importance as regards the extent of use of the material.

My invention further relates to an apparatus for the production of acetylene according to the above-described process.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows a cycle-lamp, and Fig. 2 a table-lamp, in cross-section.

The generator consists of a cylindrical metal receptacle A, provided with holes 7s to permit 0f free play of the india-rubber bag E, which constitutes an elastic liquid holder, and is closed at the bottom by a soldered plate B. The top edge is provided with an outside thread. A lid C can be screwed on the receptacle, and to secure air-tightness an india-rubber packing a is used. On the lid the outlet gas-tube b is arranged and provided with a cock c. Under the outlet-pipe is a cartridge d', of waterproof cotton, in order to prevent liquid or vapor from reaching the burner. In the receptacle is a generating-chamber, conveniently in the form of a funnel D, and at the lower part of the funnel an india-rubber bag E is arranged. The bottom of the funnel is closed by a slightly-convex india-rubber membrane d, provided with a small iissure.

The pipe b is provided with a small hole surrounded by an india-rubber ring m, which acts as a safety-valve. The most practical working pressure in my generator is -iifteen pounds per square inch, and if the pressure should rise higher the gas will escape through the safety-valve. In the funnel D a net or grid h is placed a little distance above the membrane. When the apparatus is to be used, the prepared carbid is placed on the net or grid 7L and a certain amount of liquid is poured over it. Then the lid is screwed on. After a few seconds the evolution of acetylene begins, whereby the liquid is pressed through the fissure in the membrane d down into the india-rubber bag. When the decomposition begins, the pressure in the funnel and in the india-rubber bag increases, whereby the latter expands. The liquid in the funnel is forced through the membrane and away from the carbid, so that the decomposition ceases almost in the same second that the normal pressure is reached. When the gas IOO is lighted, the volume of the gas contained in the funnel and in the bag is diminished, whereby the bag, on account of its elasticity, contracts, which again forces Vthe liquid through the membrane up to the carbid. More gas is then produced, whereby the volume is again increased. Then acetylene is being produced, the following chemical operation takes place:

The water of the saturated solution of sodic chlorid decomposes the carbid and splits it into acetylene and calcio hydrate. At the same time some sodic chlorid is set free. The free hydrate of lime and sodio chlorid will pass through the membrane and sink to the bottom of the india-rubber bag, from which it can be easily removed subsequently.

Throughout the whole process the surface of the carbid is always kept fresh and surrounded by a saturated solution of sodic chlorid. As soon as the liquid has sunk below` the carbid on the grid the process ceases entirely, so that the india-rubberbagis always able to hold the produced quantity of gas after the cock has been turned ed. When the generator is charged, there is, so to speak, no atmospheric air left after the lid has been screwed on, so that the condition for the formation of an explosive mixture is excluded. As the pressure at the same time does not exceed fifteen pounds and as there is, besides the safety-valve, also the elastic india-rubber bag, it will be easily understood lthat the apparatus is sate, however unskilled the management of it may be.

The safety-valve comes mainly into use if through carelessness pure water is poured into the generator, whereby the pressure may become so high that the bag E may be burst.

The membrane is so arranged as to prevent small pieces of carbid from falling down into the bag, as well as to prevent the fluid from coming into contact with the carbid in case the generator should be upset after the full pressure is attained.

The table-lamp, Fig. 2, differs only from the cycle-lamp shown on Fig. l in that a cylindrical drying-chamber K is placed above the funnel, though separated from same by a plate provided with small holes. Above the drying-chamber K is the outlet-pipe provided with safety-valve and cock as already described, although they have undergone some slight mechanical alterations to make them more it for this special use. In the drying chamber may be used either calcium carbid or oXid of lime or the like for the drying of the gas.

lWhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Sates, is-

l. In an apparatus for the production of gas, the combination of a generating-chamber, an elastic membrane having a contracted opening and located at the lower part of said chau1ber, and an elastic liquid-holder communicating with said generator through said contracted opening.

2. In an apparatus for the production of gas, the combination ot' a generating-chamber having an elastic bottom provided with a contracted opening, a grid in the generatingchamber above said elastic bottom, 'and an elastic liquid-holder comm unicating with said generating-chamber through said opening.

3. In an apparatus for the production of acetylene gas, the combination of a generating-chamber having a gas-escape pipe, an elastic diaphragm iu the lower part of the chamber having a fissure therein,a grid above said diaphragm, and an elastic bag secured to said generating-chamber and communicat ing therewith through said fissure.

4. In an apparatus for the production of acetylene gas, the combination of a perforated casing, a funnel therein, a grid in said funnel, an elastic diaphragm closing the lower edge of said funnel and having assure therein, au elast-ic bag within said casing having its mouth secured around the lower end of said funnel, and a gas-escape pipe.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

LAURITZ PETERSEN HVIID.

I/Vitnesses:

CHARLES I-IUDE, JULES BLOM. 

